Provincial Blog

Welcome to the Provincial Blog.

Here, we feature posts by our Friars and by other contributors from the Carmelite family. Our goal is to provide you with content relevant to Carmelite spirituality and life in the Province of St. Therese.To learn more about the people behind this blog, visit the About Blog Central page.To post a comment, just click on the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post or you can send us an email to let us know what you think.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings: 1st Reading: Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8Resp.: Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-82nd Reading: 1st Corinthians 15:1-11Gospel: Luke 5:1-11 Jesus asked his disciples to put the boat out into deep water. This is symbolic of putting greater trust in God. Since we are not sea creatures, going further into deep water is more dangerous and uncomfortable. I remember a spiritual director

The Baptism of the Lord

Readings:1st Reading: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11Resp.: Psalm 104:1b-2, 3-4, 24-25, 27-28, 29-302nd Reading: Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7Gospel: Luke 3:15-16, 21-22Now that Jesus's birth has been manifested to the world, His ministry begins. Jesus not only tells us what we should do but he actually does what we should do: he is baptized in the River Jordan.Jesus did not need to be baptized like we do. He did not contract

The Epiphany of the Lord

Readings:1st Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6Resp.: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-132nd Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12The time has finally come for Jesus to be made manifest to the earth. The first manifestation was to his parents, the second to the shepherds and now all of humanity.The Magi who came from the East, by tradition are called Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. It is a Catholic

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Readings:1st Reading: Numbers 6:22-27Resp.: Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 82nd Reading: Galatians 4:4-7Gospel: Luke 2:16-21Many people do not understand how Mary, a creature, can be called the mother of God. It is very simple: since she's Jesus's mother, and Jesus is God, she is therefore the Mother of God - Theotokos. She's is also called Christotokos, the mother of Christ which is correct but in theology,

Feast of the Holy Family

Readings:1st Reading: 1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28Resp.: Psalm 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-102nd Reading: 1 John 3:1-2, 21-24Gospel: Luke 2:41-52Celebrating the feast of the Holy Family is very important. From the beginning of creation God instituted the family as an essential part of His plan for His people. God considers the role of father and mother so important that He asks them to aid Him in the creation of children.Jesus